14 November 2013
Skopje
THE OMBUDSMAN STANDPOINT FOR THE DAY OF TOLERANCE
Respected citizens,
Every year each citizen on the planet Earth celebrates the 16th of November as an International Day for Tolerance. This day is a good opportunity to remind ourselves how tolerant we are towards our family, friends, colleagues, with one word how much we respect them although they have different points of view.
Tolerance can be taught in order to become a habit. Learning that we all are different but we all are entitled to the same rights is the basic motto that should be respected by each of us, in particular in the multi-cultural societies as ours.
The International Day for Tolerance is a reason when we should also talk about the negative effects from non-tolerance. Disrespect to the differences do not cause good to anyone, on the contrary that is a reason for many wars, sufferings, divisions that leave deep consequences over the lives of all of us.
Tolerance is a democratic benefit of every society. If we have more tolerance, we will have less divisions and more prosperity. That is why I use this opportunity to address everyone in our society no matter age, gender, religion, education that respect is a fundament without which there is no prosperity. If we all understand this, I am convinced that we will improve our quality of life.